Food & Wine Names Denver Brewer of the Year
Ashleigh Carter, co-founder of Bierstadt Lagerhaus, earns the top honor in the magazine's 2026 Drinks Visionary program.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Beer
Live Poll
Do you prioritize supporting local independent breweries over buying mass-produced beer brands in your area?
Food & Wine magazine selected Ashleigh Carter as the Brewer of the Year for its second annual Drinks Visionary program. Carter serves as the co-founder and head brewer for the Denver-based Bierstadt Lagerhaus.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the impact of Denver's craft beer scene on the national stage. Carter and her team operate using traditional methods that emphasize long-standing brewing craftsmanship.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus operates with a 35-barrel copper brewhouse originally built in 1932. The brewery, which recently marked its 10th anniversary, is famous for its Slow Pour Pils that requires 7 minutes to serve.
The players
Ashleigh Carter
She is the co-founder and head brewer of Bierstadt Lagerhaus who was recently honored by Food & Wine.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
This Denver-based brewery uses traditional German equipment and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Food & Wine
This magazine organizes the annual Drinks Visionary program to recognize excellence in the beverage industry.
Wayfinder Beer
This brewery collaborated with Bierstadt Lagerhaus on the Infinite Hotel project that earned a gold medal.
The details
The award coincides with recent recognition for Bierstadt Lagerhaus, which secured a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its Infinite Hotel collaboration with Wayfinder Beer. The brewery's operations remain grounded in equipment imported from Germany.
Timeline
The brewery's German brewhouse was originally built in 1932.
Ashleigh Carter was named Brewer of the Year in 2026.
Culture Shift
The award reflects the broader movement toward honoring traditional, labor-intensive brewing techniques over mass-market efficiency. By prioritizing vintage equipment like their 1932 German brewhouse, the brewery positions itself against modern automation trends.
Local beer enthusiasts can visit the 2875 Blake St. facility to experience the methods behind the award-winning brewer. Patrons should plan for the 7-minute wait time required for the signature Slow Pour Pils.
The takeaway
This award reinforces the value of preserving historical brewing technology in a modern market. Consumers looking for authentic craft experiences should prioritize breweries that emphasize lengthy, intentional preparation methods.
Further reading
Learn more about the local craft industry on the Denver Beer page.
More information
Visit the Bierstadt Lagerhaus official website to view the full tap list and brewery information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denver Westword.
Live Poll
Do you prioritize supporting local independent breweries over buying mass-produced beer brands in your area?
